South coast · Town to beach or villageVerified listing
Getting from Rethymno to Plakias on the south coast.
- Road distance
- 32.1 km
- Drive time, no traffic
- 45 min
- Public bus
- KTEL Chania–Rethymno
- Checked
Photo: dronepicr / “Aerial view of the river Kissano Faraggi flowing to Preveli beach on Crete, Greece” / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons · Resized or cropped for display
Quick answer
Plakias is about 32 km south of Rethymno, roughly 45 minutes by car on the Rethymno–Spili road before it drops to the Libyan Sea. The easiest door-to-door option is the private transfer menu listing we checked: choose the option that starts in the Rethymno area and ends in Plakias. On a budget, ride the KTEL Rethymno–Plakias–Preveli bus, or hire a car for the beaches beyond the village.
Key points
- Road distance 32.1 km, about 45 minutes without traffic or stops (OSRM routing).
- A private point-to-point listing lets you pick the Rethymno area as your start and Plakias as your end.
- KTEL runs a Rethymno–Plakias–Preveli line; check the operator for your travel date.
- The route leaves the north-coast highway behind and crosses the island to a bay on the Libyan Sea.
Over the island from Rethymno on the Spili road
This is a cross-island drive rather than a coastal hop. You leave Rethymno heading south on the Rethymno–Spili road, away from the A90 and the north coast, and climb into the hills of the interior. Later the route branches off and descends towards the south coast, finishing at the bay of Plakias. Within the hour the view swaps the busy north shore for open hillsides and, at the end, the Libyan Sea.
OSRM routing puts the trip at 32.1 km and about 45 minutes, free-flow with no stops. That pace is slower than the distance suggests because the road bends and climbs instead of running straight. In summer, allow extra time for slow vehicles, tour coaches and photo stops, and add a few minutes more if your driver is dropping you at accommodation outside the village centre.
Plakias bay, Damnoni and the road on to Preveli
Plakias is a bay village facing the Libyan Sea, and Damnoni beach is close by. Some visitors who say they are staying in Plakias are actually based near Damnoni or on the roads behind the seafront, so check the exact location of your room before you book a ride. Give the driver the property name and street, and you will be dropped at the door rather than in the middle of the village.
The same KTEL line continues to Preveli, known for both its beach and its monastery, which makes Plakias a handy base for that day out. The Kourtaliotiko gorge lies on the way to Preveli and is a natural stop if you are driving. Without a car, look at the bus timetable for your date before planning a return, since services on this line can change with the season.
Picking the right Rethymno option, bags and children
The private listing we checked is a menu rather than a single route: you choose a start and an end from places including the Rethymno area (north and south), Plakias, Chania, Souda, Chania Airport and both Heraklion arrival points. Pick the option whose start and end match your trip exactly, otherwise you may book a different journey. Pickup is included, and the listing names an English-speaking driver, bottled water, fuel and parking.
Rethymno port is separate from the KTEL bus station, so if you are starting near the harbour and want the bus, budget time to reach the station first. On board, each passenger can put two pieces of luggage in the hold free; extra items are charged. With young children, request child seats when you book a private driver or taxi and mention their ages so the right seat is fitted.
Rethymno to Plakias
Pickup and drop-off points
Rethymno town hotels
Private drivers and taxis collect from your door. Give the full address, because the Rethymno area stretches well beyond the old town and the menu listing splits it into north and south.
Rethymno KTEL station
The place to catch the Rethymno–Plakias–Preveli bus. It is not at the port, so plan the walk or a short taxi ride with luggage.
Rethymno port
Separate from the bus station. Arrange a private pickup or taxi here if you want to head straight south without crossing town first.
Plakias or Damnoni drop-off
Door drop-off for private cars and taxis. Tell the driver if you are staying at Damnoni beach rather than in Plakias village itself.
Compare your options
Ways to make this trip
Private transfer (menu listing)
Choose the Rethymno area start and the Plakias end in the listing we checked. Pickup, fuel, parking and bottled water are listed, with an English-speaking driver. Best for groups and anyone who would rather not drive the bends.
KTEL Rethymno–Plakias–Preveli bus
The budget way south. Two pieces of luggage per passenger travel free in the hold; extra items are charged. Confirm the timetable for your date, because this line can change with the season.
Taxi from Rethymno
Useful for a spur-of-the-moment trip or a late start. Confirm the fare or meter before setting off, and ask in advance if you need a child seat.
Rental car
Puts Damnoni, Preveli and the Kourtaliotiko gorge on your own schedule. Take the bends slowly and expect heavier traffic on the south-coast roads in high summer.
Rethymno to Plakias
Local tips
Booking from the menu listing? Double-check that the start reads Rethymno area and the end reads Plakias before you confirm, since the same page sells other routes.
Heading on to Preveli beach or the monastery? You do not need to go back to Rethymno; Plakias and Preveli sit on the same bus line.
Children prone to car sickness may notice the crossing to the south coast, which bends far more than the short distance suggests. Pack accordingly.
Staying at Damnoni? Mention it at booking. It is near Plakias but not in the village, so the drop-off point is different.
FAQ
Questions about this route.
How far is Plakias from Rethymno?
About 32 km by road. OSRM routing gives 32.1 km and roughly 45 minutes, free-flow and without stops. The route runs south on the Rethymno–Spili road and then down to the south coast, so it is slower than a highway trip of the same length. Allow extra time in summer.Is there a bus from Rethymno to Plakias?
Yes. KTEL runs a Rethymno–Plakias–Preveli line, which appears on the published list of Crete bus corridors. Some lines run only in season, so check the operator’s timetable for your date. Each passenger can put two pieces of luggage in the hold free, and extra items are charged.Can I book a private transfer from Rethymno to Plakias?
Yes. The private GetYourGuide listing we checked is a menu: you choose the start and end from a set of places that includes the Rethymno area and Plakias. Select the option that matches your trip exactly. Pickup is included, the driver speaks English, and fuel and parking are listed.Can the same transfer take me from Plakias to Chania or Heraklion Airport?
The menu also includes Chania Airport, Souda, Chania, Heraklion Airport and Heraklion port, so check whether an option starting in Plakias and ending at your airport or port is offered. Choose that option rather than a Rethymno one, because the start and end you select must match your real journey.How do I get from Plakias to Preveli beach?
Preveli, with its beach and monastery, is on the same Rethymno–Plakias–Preveli bus line, so you can continue from Plakias by bus when the service runs. With a car you have more freedom, and the Kourtaliotiko gorge, which lies on the way to Preveli, makes a good stop.Is the road from Rethymno to Plakias hard to drive?
It is an ordinary island road rather than a highway, crossing the hills between the north and south coasts. The 32 km take around 45 minutes free-flow, which reflects the bends. If you are new to Cretan hill roads, drive it in daylight and let a passenger handle navigation.